A truly great performer

Last night, however, as he started a six-night run at the Almeida Theatre, Marc Almond proved in the most inspiring way that there is life after pop stardom.

"I've gone through my cynical, bitter period," he announced to a relieved capacity crowd. "I'm not going to abuse or attack any of you tonight."

Twenty-three years after scoring a worldwide smash hit with Tainted Love, as part of seminal gay electro duo Soft Cell, the notoriously temperamental singer seemed to have matured into a fully rounded performer as he delivered a truly brilliant performance. Looking far younger than his 47 years, Almond retained the ability to put the crowd at ease with his self-deprecating and intensely likeable manner.

Nonetheless, the atmosphere was one of high drama, as he turned his hand to a mind-boggling variety of musical genres.

Always a free spirit, Almond has moved far beyond the world of pop, touching on tango, Arabic music, French folk songs, jazz and blues, somehow injecting all his songs with his unique mixture of tragedy and sleaze.

Many in the crowd must have feared the worst when informed that the first half of the show was devoted to "Russian-inspired torch songs". This was no superficial parody, the singer has spent a great deal of time in Russia during the past few years. After a dramatic, sombre entrance, he opened with The Glance Of Your Dark Eyes.

He seemed to bring out much of the morose, pained flavour of Russian music, as expertly-synchronised projections of Russian sailors filled the background. Although these minor-key-ballads, like much of Almond's own music, had their roots in tragedy, there was plenty of fun to be had.

Egged on by this consummate showman, the crowd were soon stamping and clapping in time with a traditional Russian dance while marvelling at the musical rapport between Almond and his Russian accordionist, whose playing was of the same extremely high standard as the double bass player, pianist and violinists. The only element lacking was a live drummer, who would have spiced up his jazzflavoured songs. For all his rebelliousness, his brand of showmanship was a distinctly old-fashioned one.

Polished, passionate and respectful of his audience, he is far more than an ex-pop star. Marc Almond has been through his midlife crisis and emerged from it a truly great performer.

Marc Almond - Sin Songs, Torch And Romance